November 19, 2020
Psoriasis – triggers, symptoms and tips for psoriasis
by Sophia Wildfeuer
Psoriasis. A word that almost no one can pronounce straight away. That's probably why it's better known as psoriasis. A good 2 million people in Germany are affected by it, which I think is not a small number when we consider how little it is discussed openly and honestly. I suspect that's because those affected are ashamed of it and suffer from the physical symptoms. It's all the more important that we educate people about it, that we know exactly what psoriasis is, how it manifests itself and what that means for those affected.
That's why I'm writing this post to draw more attention to this topic. Because the more we know about it, the more understanding we have for our skin, our bodies and our fellow human beings.
In this article you will learn
- How does psoriasis manifest itself on my skin?
- Which parts of the body can be affected?
- What are possible triggers for the inflammatory systemic disease?
- What care can help me?
- Which 3 additional tips you can consider.
1. How does psoriasis manifest itself on my skin?
Psoriasis is a non-contagious, chronic skin disease in which the immune system goes haywire and triggers an inflammatory reaction in the body. It usually manifests itself in bouts. During this time, the skin cells divide much faster than they should. Our skin renews itself on average every 28 days. With psoriasis, however, the horny cells in your skin grow so quickly that they reach the surface of the skin after just 4 to 6 days and eventually flake off. The skin cells cannot fully mature in this short time, causing our top layer of skin to thicken and loosen. In addition, the immune system's reaction widens the skin's blood vessels, allowing fluid to leak into the tissue. The skin begins to swell and is very red. Eventually, sharply defined, slightly raised areas of skin (plaques) covered in silvery-white scales appear.
Skin affected by psoriasis
The areas begin to burn and itch unpleasantly. Most people then find it very difficult not to scratch. However, this also causes cracks in the skin, which makes it very easy for a variety of bacteria to penetrate the protective barrier. The vicious circle continues and inflammation, pustules and even fungal infections can spread.
Unfortunately, psoriasis is not only found on the outside of the skin, but can also affect the joints (psoriatic arthritis). Excruciating joint pain and deeper back pain can affect the entire musculoskeletal system. From a medical point of view, depending on the severity of the disease, it can also lead to serious concurrent diseases such as diabetes mellitus type II. Psoriasis should therefore not be taken lightly. Continuous treatment is very important. The primary aim is to reduce the duration and severity of the flare-ups, as a symptom-free cure is unfortunately very rare to date. But there are holistic approaches that can lead to a significant improvement.
2. Which parts of the body can be affected?
Unfortunately, psoriasis does not stop at any part of the body and can occur in any shape and size. The extensor surfaces of the elbows, knees, the sacrum area, the scalp and the area behind the ears are particularly frequently affected. But inflammation can also occur in general in skin folds, under the armpits, palms, soles of the feet and even in the nail bed.
Due to the colorful distribution of skin areas, it is becoming increasingly difficult and stressful for those affected to cover up the areas or to really feel comfortable in their own bodies. Therefore, it is important to uncover all possible influences, treat them and ultimately improve the quality of life all around, which quite simply depends on our health. Sounds simple, but in practice it is unfortunately more like looking for a needle in a haystack.
3. What are possible triggers for the inflammatory systemic disease?
We are all individuals, perceive our environment differently and can react very differently depending on the experiences we have had. This makes it difficult to find the ONE trigger for psoriasis. As is often the case, genetics also play a significant role here. The likelihood of developing the disease is passed on to us by our parents. They don't even have to be affected themselves. A predisposition does not automatically mean an immediate outbreak. Internal and external factors usually have to work together to trigger the first flare-up. We have collected a few possible factors for you:
Internal triggers:
- genetics
- Old
- Hormonal situation/current changes
- Diseases (allergies, diabetes)
- Mental health
External triggers:
- Climate / Seasons
- incorrect skin care
- Mechanical and physical irritation
- lifestyle
- Nutrition
- Medicines
- stress
Since you can't look inside yourself and sometimes a belt that's too tight or clothing that's rubbing can be the cause, it's important to simply be aware of as many of these triggers as possible. But here too, imagination and reality often go separate ways, I know!
4. What care can help me?
Psoriasis is not necessarily associated with a specific skin type, so it is important that you first identify which skin type you currently have. The skin is usually very sensitive and in many cases it is a special form of very dry, low-fat skin.
You can recognize these by the fact that
- it often appears dull and lackluster
- tight, itchy and feels rough
- The severity can range from slight tightness after cleansing to massive neurodermatitis conditions with severe flaking and excruciating itching.
But there are also some basic care tips that you can follow.
The right cleaning
Let's start with cleaning. The general rule here is: less is more! In detail, this means that you should generally use water and cleaning products sparingly. The water should be cold to lukewarm (max. 37°C). After cleaning, it is better to dab the skin gently rather than rubbing it with all your might. Your cleaning product should:
- not be real soap,
- do not contain any irritating surfactants from the alkyl sulfate group ( Link Surfactant Guide ),
- do not cause a mechanical peeling effect and
- do not contain any perfumes or preservatives.
Oil-based products in particular care for your skin and effectively relieve itching, tightness and rough patches. Ourcleansing oil gently removes dirt and sebum deposits from your skin thanks to the combination of valuable oils without drying it out any further. Mild sugar surfactants clean thoroughly and at the same time return moisture to your skin. If you don't like using oil for cleansing, you can just as well use our cleansing gel . It contains soothing organic chamomile extract and plant-based surfactants that clean your skin gently but thoroughly. It is important to ensure that the cleansing product is carefully removed after use.
The right care
For subsequent skin care, the following ingredients should be present in the INCIs:
- NMF (Natural Moisturizing Factor): Hyaluronic Acid, Pentylene Glycol, Vegetable Oils, Shea Butter, Allantoin
- urea
- Salicylic acid
- Vitamins A & E
It is important to restore moisture and lipids to your skin, so creams and lotions with a high fat content should be used on both the face and the body. Especially at night, so that the skin can recover and strengthen in peace. Our hyaluronic series with hyaluronic concentrate and hyaluronic creams in 3 different levels of richness combines this with its valuable ingredients and helps to regenerate and protect your skin. If you prefer to use pure oil, our almond oil for sensitive skin is the first choice. Care should be applied after every contact with water. Our Body lotion . It nourishes your skin intensively without leaving behind an annoying greasy film. Please avoid areas of skin that are treated with creams containing active ingredients. This can lead to dilution or interactions with the drug and thus the desired effect is not achieved.
5. Which 3 additional tips you can consider.
Our skin reflects our physical and mental state every day. That's why it's so important that you try to avoid your individual triggers as much as possible. As with almost everything, the right diet also plays a big role.
01 Eat a balanced diet with anti-inflammatory foods
If possible, you should eliminate alcohol, fatty foods, citrus fruits, spicy spices and nicotine consumption from your everyday life and instead focus on anti-inflammatory foods. Lots of fruit and vegetables, foods with a high proportion of anti-inflammatory omega-3 fatty acids, such as linseed oil, grape seed oil and also fish, which is of course not possible for vegans and vegetarians. This makes it all the more important to look for plant-based alternatives and to integrate them into your diet.
Experience has also shown that a gluten-free diet can have a very positive effect. It would be worth trying for 4-6 months.
02 Maintain a healthy immune system
In addition to omega-3 fatty acids, zinc and turmeric are also very valuable for your body and a well-functioning immune system.
03 Look at your soul life
Get plenty of fresh air (make sure you have enough sun protection ;)) and make sure you do things that bring you joy, that make you happy and reduce stress. Meditate, meet friends, paint.
Always remember that you can do anything that feels good to you! There is no such thing as THE plan, but there are guidelines that you can use to create your master plan. Listen to yourself, listen to your body and be patient with it! It will show you where the journey is going!
Be good to yourself!
Your Sophia
Sources:
1 Sabine Ellsässer, Personal Care and Cosmetics, Springer Verlag, A textbook for PTA training and advice in pharmacy practice, 2008
3 https://www.amboss.com/de/wissen/Psoriasis_vulgaris